Jade Legacy [L5R 3eR] - Act 1: Atsumari/Gathering

[Rain Yupa]

@ Storytelling Competition:

With over a millennium of history, its rather easy for events to slip through the cracks and be unnoticed and unrecognized. If the events really did happen, Kagae has never heard of them.

But then again, Otosan Uchi and Imperial matters rarely concern those on the wall, who focus their attentions outward, not inward. Kagae not having heard of this before is entirely likely.  

[Mongooseh]

"I love stories of history and battles... You have won my approval..." Kagae gave his criticism as he tracked his brain for any evidence of this battle happening but nothing seemed to bring itself to attention and took Kan's word for it adding it to his mental library.  

[Psychofish]

[2k2 Perception/Storytelling:17 vs TN 29]

Denbe, apparently pleased by any story that didn't cut out the details too much, glanced at his tea to make sure there wasn't a single drop left (alas, no such luck) before he smiled up to the monk. The man had been very encouraging to him, and seemed kind and intelligent in general. One he wouldn't mind calling a friend. After all, for one who prized information, it was a fine idea to make friends in a variety of places.

"I have to admit, I had been looking forward to your story Kan, and you have not disappointed. Thank you for the exceptional history."  

[Plainsfox]

@Scorpion Hijinks

Kojiro would return the bow, in equal measure. "I'm sure that I'll speak to Maru-san in better conditions at length later. I'm sorry if I made your situation awkward. It's easy to see that you and Lady Shinjo are not cut from the same cloth as Lady Horiuchi."

To Jiro's suggestion, the Scorpion would only nod slightly.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Storytelling:

Putting down his chopsticks upon his empty plate, Seppun Benjiro would stand and clap twice for attention.

"Well done, everyone! You certainly have made this afternoon a most diverting one. Not only have we learned much about each other, but about ourselves. However, despite some of our best attempts, it was extremely clear that the most enjoyed stories was the Tale of the Hare by Ujina Denbe, and the Story of Hantei's Bride by Doji Koan! However, this means that there is no clear winner. This means that I will have to pass my own critiques on the two stories. With that in mind, I have found..."

There would be a pause, almost dramatic in nature, as everyone awaited his judgement.

{Critique of 31 vs TN 33 vs Denbe's Story}
{Critique of 30 vs TN 40 vs Koan's Story}

"... that both stories were equally enjoyable. I give the full reward of first place to both Samurai. Excellent job, both of you. I am proud of your accomplishment." With that, the servants would all file in, and begin cleaning up after all the gathered guests.



The following characters would receive the listed benefits for their efforts in competing in this part of the tournament:

Ujina Denbe - 1 point of Glory for competing in the Storytelling Competition. 1 additional point of Glory for winning the Storytelling Competition.
Kaiu Kagae - 1 point of Glory for competing in the Storytelling Competition.

Also: Since it is no mystery at this point, I can reward them now. Anyone who competed in this competition gains 1 experience point which, like the one from the previous day, can be spent in any fashion of your choosing, if you decide not to bank it. Your expenditure will take effect starting the following morning. Please inform the GM of any expenditures.

That same young girl would see Denbe's untouched fish and soup, and begin to apologize profusely at the dishonor she had given him for presenting him a meal that did not please him. "Please, noble samurai, forgive me for this offense! I did not mean to be so obtuse as to offend your delicate tastes. I beg of you, have mercy..." The blood was draining from her face, as if she was expecting an execution for some great breach of etiquette.  

[Psychofish]

Denbe felt really bad for this girl. He knew what it was like to be but minor clan besides the major clans. But he was sure even next to him it was far larger a gap (far, far larger) to be a servant. And the poor thing had to feed him.

"No offense is taken. Please, it is I who should apologize,"

He tried not to look sheepish as he stood.

"I am afraid my body reacts poorly to certain spices. I should have made the host aware of this before the competition, but I failed to," he kept his tone low. She, and the host and cooks, were due proper apology on his part, but it did not mean he cared to broadcast his weakness to the other samurai. He had not met any individuals he was particularly untrusting of yet, but... some of the clans had certain reputations. And at least a few of their members had to have earned those images.

[4k3 Etiquette(Sincerity)/Awareness: 18]

[In honor of his newfound talent, Denbe puts 1 point into Storytelling. And 1 point into Calligraphy, for good measure.]  

[Mongooseh]

Kagae realizing they were being let free immediately leapt to his feet, gathered his things and then bowed to everyone there. He immediately left to an area which he could survey the fortifications of the crane without disturbance. He started creating his own observation post by placing his surveying gear onto the ground and pulling out some drawing paper accompanied by pens. With this all set up he begun looking through the surveying gear only stopping to draw small sketches and make notes of its properties.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Elsewhere...

After slipping back out of the Crab tent, short one bow, Shosuro Naizen would look in the direction of the Storytelling Competition/Dinner.

"I smell secrets."  

[Keith Valken Lionheart]

Seichiro scoffed at her view of bushi. "Fine. Just remember, as samurai, both you and me should always adhere to the code of Bushido. Keep that in mind." And with that, he turned around and left, walking back to the spectator area.  

[Plainsfox]

@Scorpion Hijinks

Kojiro kept his attention on the Taryu jiai duelists, carefully shifting so that he could keep Kan under better observation. "I wonder if Lady Kuni means to exhaust the participants and force them to use their worst elements eventually?" and in a lower voice, the Scorpion would add "What did you change in your story? It may be a small thing, but if your tale is obscure, it may help to know how he knows it."  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Taryu-Jiai Duels:

Soshi Maru vs. Isawa Toyoko

Assessment

The first of the last three matches would be underway. Isawa Toyoko, a bit more settled now, would take her place opposite of the sensuous Soshi Maru.

"No more excuses, Phoenix. I've shown I can handle that foolish Dragon man, and he your little Lion friend. You are all that stand in my way to victory." Staring down (?) her opponent through her veil, Maru had a very serious and determined look on her face. {2 Raises, Spellcraft of 22 vs TN 15. Chooses to learn Toyoko's Spellcraft Skill, Meditation Skill, and Earth Ring}

"I will win, Maru. Kyumi-san is going to make it to the finals, and I intend on meeting here there!" Balling her fists, she would attempt to discern what she could of the Scorpion. {3 Raises, Spellcraft of 13 vs TN 20. Toyoko learns nothing}

Declaration

"I will declare the use of my Earth. I am not holding back any longer." Toyoko would respond, getting a perked result from Maru. With the big lead-up, she wasn't expecting that. This time, without her scroll, she would summon her avatar. Bits of stone and rock would converge, forming a vague humanoid shape... praying? More and more rock, from far beyond the ring, would be dragged in, levitating around the praying figure. They began to spin, faster and faster, closer and closer, blocking all sight within. The tornado of stone would gradually slow, retaining its conical shape, but a more defined one. A large stone dragon. It would let out a low snarl, eyeing up Soshi Maru. {Earth-4 Water-1 Fire-1 Air-1 Void-2; TNtbH=7, 4 wounds/level}

"What... what is this?" Maru exclaimed, taking a few steps back as she looked (?) up at the Dragon. She gave a panicked glance (?) at Kuni Raicho, who seemed calm and unphased by this, as she made a very casual go-ahead gesture.

"Your theatrics... Haha! Yes, that's all they are, aren't they? Your theatrics don't scare me, little Phoenix!" Scroll in hand, Maru would once more summon her Air Shosuro, the warrior appearing in a whirl of zephyrs, the air kami giving a fearless warrior to face off this beast. {Earth-1 Water-1 Fire-2 Air-4 Void-1; TNtbH = 22, 1 wound/level.}

Fight!

The Shosuro would unsurprisingly go first, kicking off of the ground as it leapt skyward, aiming for a vicious blow as it descended, plunging its focused blade through the skull of the dragon! {1 Raise, 40 vs TN 7+5, hit! 8 damage!} The blow would definitely connect, but this dragon was not easily slayed, as it would only be Nicked by the blow!

The Dragon would attempt to chomp down on the Shosuro, kicking its head back and flinging it upward as it attempted to swallow it! {2 Raises declared, 28-3 vs TN 22+10, miss} The Shosuro would land with its legs on each jaw, then leaping to freedom.

On its descent, it would slide down the front of the Dragon, gouging the rocky beast with its blade as gravity brought the avatar back to the ground. {1 Raise declared, 36 vs TN 7+5, hit!; 10 more damage for a total of 18} The Dragon was now heavily injured as it thrashed about.

The dragon snarled, and then whipped its tail around in an attempt to lash the Air warrior instead! {No raises, 30-15 vs TN 22, miss} The warrior would easily evade the tail, backflipping over it!

The Shosuro would use this opportunity to run up the serpentine beast; this time, it aimed to take its head with one clean sweep! {51(!) to hit, 10 more damage for a total of 28} The blow was not enough to decapitate it completely, but it damaged the beast so much that it was no longer able to remain upright under its own power, and it would crash to the ground with a loud WHAM!! It let out a low whimpering whine, unable to fight any longer.

Toyoko would collapse to one knee, panting heavily, exhausted from controlling the powerful dragon. But despite all her might, she was not able to overcome the guile and cunning of the Scorpion.

"You may dismiss your avatar, Toyoko. The winner of this match is Shosi Maru." Raicho would announce, and a series of claps and cheers from spectators would signal the end of the match. The Shosuro would sheath his air blade, bowing to its master before fading into the winds. The Dragon slowly broke apart, the large gathering of Earth kami taking back their stones and scattering the rolling rocks everywhere.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Taryu-Jiai Duels:

Kitsu Kyumi vs. Tamori Makoto (again)

The second match would be underway, and two familiar faces would stand apart from one another again. "Well, I definitely didn't expect this to be our outcomes, Kyumi-san. It's funny how the threads of fate and the whim of chance can bring two destinies around full circle once more, hmm?" Smiling, he would bow to Kyumi.

"Since this is but a mere repeat, I say we move on directly to the action. These fine samurai gathered here don't want to see us scowling at one another again. They've already seen that part. We've learned what we need to from one another. And I have summoned my primary element thrice-fold, I am somewhat at a disadvantage."  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Crab Hijinks:

"Pardon us..."

As Kagae was busy recording information about the fortifications, a trio of fully armed, fully armored Daidoji Guards would be waiting (surprisingly patiently!) behind the occupied Crab.

"If you've lost your way, we can escort you back to the tournament. Everything beyond the designated areas are off limits," explained the middle one.

--------------------

@ Scorpion Hijinks:

Jiro would scratch his head, observing the Shugenja Duels. "Iiiii dunno. The rules are a bit beyond me, but most Shugenja usually have one backup element to fall back on, if not more."

A bit lower, he would address the more pressing matter. "You know how stories go, they change a little with each retelling. Lions are good storytellers though, and if he was a Lion in his younger years like he claims, he might have heard a different version. Possibly a more original one. I think what changes were made are irrelevant, if you ask me. I would have picked a different story if I had known it would have set the old man off."  

[Plainsfox]

@Scorpion Hijinks

As always, Kojiro cheered loudly for his fellow Scorpion. He did feel a twinge of sympathy for the poor Isawa she defeated and hoped her yojimbo would be able to keep the young woman on an even keel.

"So, what were your objections with his story, Jiro-san? I ask these questions to help determine Kan's nature." The scorpion whispered as the duel completed.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Scorpion Hijinks:

Jiro would smirk a bit, and tap his nose. "Why, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to ferret out all my secrets, Kojiro-san."

Ide Jiro would observe Maru's victory, and let out a low whistle. "She's definitely not one I expected to win this. You Scorpions truly are something, aren't you?"

Jiro would shake his head, and speak quietly once more. "I'm not an objectionable man, Kojiro-san. Nor did I once have any objections to the story in question. But sometimes, in the right line of work, you hear things. Things that are supposed to be secret, that no one's supposed to know about. And then what do you do when you hear those same secrets being spouted by another? One becomes concerned, if you get my drift." Laughing loudly, he would seemingly change the subject.

"But, as riviting as this conversation has been, I do believe I've overstayed my welcome. Places to go, people to see, you know how it goes. Good luck to your Soshi companion, by the way!" Laughing again, Jiro would head off in a direction that really didn't lead anywhere.